Cold and Flu Remedies for Kids

Sick season with littles can be overwhelming and scary for parents, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are my top cold and flu remedies we use in our house to help our kiddos fight off illness quickly and effectively.

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It’s that time of year again. The temperatures drop. The sun sets earlier in the evening. Daylight savings passes. The holidays are here, but with them comes cold and flu season. With littles, sick season can feel incredibly daunting as well as exhausting. I’m excited to share the best cold and flu remedies that have helped our family get through illness so that you have a strong toolkit to get through what you might face!

I have three kiddos, all under the age of 5. While they don’t attend preschool or primary school yet, we still get exposed to many viruses. Some are from the church nursery while others are from playdates with friends. Often, if one of my kids gets sick, another one isn’t too far behind. For that reason, I want to have ways to help shorten illnesses and help our kids feel more comfortable while fighting the sniffles and more! 

Let’s be honest. We live in a world full of germs, and that’s not as bad as we make it out to be. Germs are meant to help our immune systems grow. Without exposure to illness, our immune systems take a hit. Our bodies are meant to examine a pathogen, create antibodies, and learn to fight it. But there are absolutely ways that we can help aid that process. 

1. Eat a nutrient dense diet

During sick season (and year round), our family incorporates foods like bone broth, orange juice, and eggs that are packed with vitamins and minerals to keep the body in tip top shape. Our girls love orange juice gummies. Bone broth also makes soups like chili or chicken noodle taste rich and delicious and foods like oysters are packed with zinc which, as discussed below, makes the healing process easier.

2. Supplement with Zinc and Vitamin C when signs of illness begin.

Both Zinc and vitamin C help kick the immune system into high gear, which can also help it fight off infection more quickly. This can be acquired through a toddler or child multivitamin or as a targeted supplement.

3. Give Wish Garden’s Kick It Immune tincture as directed.

Our pediatrician recommended this product to us over 3 years ago. It is power packed with herbs, such as echinacea, that work with the body to get on the mend quickly. It’s designed specifically for young kids and has helped our kids recover from colds in half the time. 

4. Put Garlic Oil on their feet before bed.

Garlic is known for its immune boosting benefits. Many people swallow down minced or whole garlic cloves with honey when sick, but I have found that my kids are not interested in that. We’ve tried garlic milk as well as garlic oil, and garlic oil seems to be the best form. To make this, I start by mincing up a clove of garlic. I then place it in enough oil (olive or avocado) so it is covered. Then, after it rests for 30 minutes or so, I put it on their feet and cover them with socks. I’ve found doing this at bedtime is easiest. 

5. Provide Elderberry syrup and ginger tea.

In addition to food and tinctures, I have found tea and syrup to be great additions to my arsenal. I make Wellness Mama’s recipe for elderberry syrup and give 1 teaspoon 1-2 times per day. When I use ginger, I slice fresh ginger and simmer it in filtered water for 15 minutes. It’s easy to add to juice!

6. Chamomile homeopathic pellets

I have never been a huge fan of ibuprofen or tylenol. I do use it when a fever causes our kids to feel very uncomfortable or when other methods are not working. But they are not my go-to medicines. Chamomile homeopathic pellets are known for helping calm the body. While I primarily use it for teething pain during infancy, I also find that it helps during illness. 

7. Rocky Mountain Oils Immunity Kids Blend

Essential oils can be a huge asset to cold and flu remedies. Linked here, this blend is designed specifically for kids. It contains Frankincense, Lemon, Lavender, Cardamom, and Marjoram. It’s made as a roll on and is easy to apply to the spine and back of the neck. I use this prior to exposures as well as 2-3 times per day during illness. Please note: essential oils, while popular in today’s natural minded communities, are meant to be used during times of need instead of frequently. For this reason, I don’t use this on my kiddos daily. 

Do you have go to remedies that you use to help your children through cold and flu season? If so, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.